Teen Killed in Pittsylvania County Crash Following High-Speed Pursuit
- BTW21
- Aug 5
- 1 min read
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY (BTW21) — Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred Monday night following a high-speed pursuit that began in Halifax County and ended in tragedy on Route 29 in Pittsylvania County.
The crash happened at approximately 9:21 p.m. on August 4, just south of R and L Smith Lane. A Virginia State Police trooper had attempted to stop a Kia SUV for speeding — clocked at 73 mph in a 55 mph zone — in Halifax County.
The driver, later identified as Alton Willie Devone Wade, 26, of Gum Spring, Va., refused to stop and fled the scene.
According to state police, Wade entered Pittsylvania County and began driving northbound in the southbound lanes of Route 29.
Shortly after, the Kia SUV collided head-on with a Ford Focus traveling legally in the southbound direction.
The driver of the Ford Focus, 17-year-old Nelson Michael Smith of Providence, North Carolina, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities confirmed Smith was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Wade was seriously injured in the crash and was airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Two passengers in his vehicle were transported to Sovah Danville Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Wade now faces multiple charges, including charges related to the fatality of Nelson Michael Smith.
Additional charges from the pursuit are pending as the investigation continues.
Virginia State Police say the investigation remains ongoing.
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